Red Bull GRC 2017 Season Preview: Cyril Raymond

2016 IN REVIEW: One of Europe’s top young rallycross prospects, Raymond had a successful year in Europe that ended with a Lites championship and a Supercar start for Olsbergs MSE in Germany. The French driver had previously competed in a Supercar and won races in the French national championship, but earned last year’s prize drive on the strength of a two-win, five-podium season. When all was said and done, he claimed the title by 14 points.

WHAT’S NEW: Raymond gets the benefit of slotting into OMSE’s GRC Lites program in 2017, replacing 2015 title winner Oliver Eriksson as he moves up to the team’s Honda Civic Supercar. While the Frenchman is no stranger to car or team, he will be competing in the United States for the first time—meaning he’ll be getting his very first taste of the track variation that Red Bull GRC is known for, and racing as a newcomer in some events where his rivals have raced before.

OUTLOOK: Already a championship winner in a Lites car, Raymond will be up against an incredibly deep field in his first GRC Lites season. Both Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and DirtFish Motorsports have shown the ability to take the fight to OMSE for the title, and past podium runs have shown that AF Racing and CORE autosport are ready to break through as well. But Andreas Eriksson has shown an eye for talent repeatedly—so expect Raymond to hang tough.